May 1, 2012– INDONESIA – Mount Lokon volcano in North Sulawesi erupted again at 11:55 a.m. local time on Tuesday. The latest eruption was larger in magnitude compared to the eruption last Wednesday but local residents were more prepared. The eruption was preceded by a number of mild earthquakes over a span of two minutes. National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said smoke plumes reached 2,500 meters in height when Mount Lokon erupted. According to geologists with the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), it is not time for residents to evacuate yet, but evacuation sites are being prepared just in case. The BNPB has deployed a team to keep the situation in Mount Lokon under control. The agency has also prepared transport, Rp 400 million (US$43,600) in cash and other equipment. –Jakarta Post

Seismic tension is building and it looks like another large earthquake could possibly to hit the Ring of Fire in the next 48 to 72 hours. Indonesia is on the front-line of these changes, there’s no question. The seismic and volcanic unrest is testament of that. We all need to remain alert.